Governance and Finance Committee - 12 Aug 2025 7:00 PM

Key decisions

• Agency Information Guide recommended for adoption
  The committee recommended to Council that it adopt the Agency Information Guide attached to the report.
  This affects how residents can access council-held information and understand council information management obligations.
• Cost shifting report follow-up requested
  The committee recommended that Council note the LGNSW Cost Shifting report for 2023-24 and receive a further report in November estimating the cost of cost shifting on Central Coast Council, including the average cost per ratepayer.
  This could clarify how state or other external responsibilities are affecting council finances and the cost borne by local ratepayers.
• Gosford City Car Park update and opening priority
  The committee noted the response report on better utilising and monitoring Gosford City Car Park and requested a finalised update for the November 2025 committee meeting, with priority on opening the car park on Friday and Saturday evenings, public holidays, and as demand requires.
  This may improve parking access and availability in Gosford at peak visiting times.
• Roads and drainage asset revaluation noted
  The committee noted the process and impact of the 2024-25 financial year comprehensive revaluation of roads and drainage infrastructure asset classes.
  Asset revaluations can influence council financial reporting and future infrastructure planning.
• Preliminary 2024-25 financial results noted
  The committee noted the preliminary 2024-25 financial result and the status of the end-of-financial-year process.
  This informs residents about council's overall financial position ahead of final reporting.
• NSW Audit Office interim audit considered in confidential session
  In confidential session, the committee noted the Interim Audit Management Letter for 2024-25 issued by the NSW Audit Office, including identified management actions.
  This relates to council financial oversight and audit findings, though the detailed discussion was held confidentially due to interim financial information.

Important topics

• Investments Management Strategy deferred
  The Council's Investments Management Strategy item was deferred on a procedural motion.
  Any consideration of council investment settings was postponed to a later meeting.
• Water and Sewer Works in Kind Policy Review considered
  A motion was moved to adopt the recommendation on the Water and Sewer Works in Kind Policy Review, but the extracted text does not include the final wording of the outcome.
  This policy area can affect how developer-delivered water and sewer infrastructure works are handled, but the precise outcome is unclear from the extract.

Resident impacts

• Residents may see improved public access and operating hours at Gosford City Car Park, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings and public holidays.
• Council will prepare a November report estimating how much cost shifting affects Central Coast Council and the average impact per ratepayer.
• Council is progressing adoption of the Agency Information Guide, which supports public access to information.
• Roads and drainage infrastructure values were reviewed for financial reporting, which may affect how council presents its asset base and plans future works.
• The Investments Management Strategy was deferred, delaying any committee consideration of that matter.

Places affected

• Gosford City Car Park (facility)
  Car park operations, monitoring and opening hours were discussed, with priority for evening and public holiday opening.
• Gosford (suburb/town)
  Affected through the Gosford City Car Park item.
• Central Coast (local government area)
  Council-wide financial, audit, cost shifting, information access and infrastructure matters apply across the area.
• Wyong (suburb/town)
  Meeting location at 2 Hely Street, Wyong.

Next steps

• Council to consider adoption of the Agency Information Guide
  At a future Council meeting
• Prepare a report estimating the cost of cost shifting on Central Coast Council, including average cost per ratepayer
  November 2025 Governance and Finance Committee meeting
• Provide a finalised update on better utilising and monitoring Gosford City Car Park
  November 2025 Governance and Finance Committee meeting
• Further consideration of the Investments Management Strategy after deferral
  Timing not specified
• Next Governance and Finance Committee meeting
  2025-11-11 19:00

Extracted minutes text

- 1 - Central Coast Council Governance and Finance Committee Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong 12 August 2025 MINUTES Attendance Members Status Cr Jared Wright, Chairperson Present Cr Kyle MacGregor, Deputy Chairperson Present Cr Helen Crowley, Member Present Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Member Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna Apology Guest Status Cr Jane Smith Present Cr Belinda Neal Present Cr Sharon Walsh Present Staff Status Marissa Racomelara, Director Corporate Services Present Edward Hock, Unit Manager Governance Risk and Legal Present Emma Galea, Chief Financial Officer Present Bill Ignatiadis, Unit Manager, Commercial Property and Business Enterprise Present Briony Stiles, Civic Support Team...